WPR09LA427

The pilot planned to write an article for a local aeronautical publication following dinner at a restaurant located about 1/4-mile from the airport. Following dinner, the pilot's wife planned to take pictures from the air. The weather was clear, and the wind was calm. The pilot took off, and he made a low altitude turn toward the restaurant. He did not see power lines located about 40 feet above the ground, and while turning the airplane impacted the lines. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunction or failure with his airplane precipitated the accident.

On August 29, 2009, about 1820 mountain daylight time, a Stone Kitfox Series 6, N2070A, impacted several residential power lines during initial climb about 1/8-mile from the May Airport, May, Idaho. The experimental airplane crashed into an adjacent field and was substantially damaged. The private pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The pilot owned, operated, and built the airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and it was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he and his wife had flown to the May Airport for dinner. Before the accident flight, the pilot had never been to this airport. The pilot planned to write an article for a local aeronautical publication regarding his flying experience and dinner at the airport-based restaurant, and his wife planned to take pictures of the restaurant from the air. After dinner, the pilot took off, and he made a low altitude turn toward the restaurant. The pilot stated that the weather was clear, and the wind was calm. The pilot had no recollection of observing the power lines prior to impacting them. He further reported that no mechanical malfunction or failure with his airplane precipitated the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator examined the airplane wreckage. The FAA coordinator stated to the Safety Board investigator that the airplane engine's spark plug electrodes appeared in serviceable condition, fuel was found in a tank, and no external visual evidence of any preimpact malfunction was noted. The FAA coordinator estimated that the runway was located about 1/4-mile from the restaurant. The 40-foot-high power lines were located about midway between the runway and the restaurant.